Monday, November 19, 2018

Dr. Melnick was the senior toxicologist who led the design of the National Toxicology Program cell phone radiation studies.Joyce Nelson. 5G Corporate Grail: Smart cities/dumb people?Watershed Sentinel, Nov 5, 2018. "There’s a lot of hype about 5G, the fifth-generation wireless
technology that is being rolled out in various “5G test beds” in major
cities ...But it’s hard to see why we should be excited."

UK disbanded advisory group on non-ionizing radiation (AGNIR) after group issued inaccurate assessment of wireless radiation science subject to conflicts of interest. Public Heath England still relies on AGNIR report.

“The NTP and Ramazzini studies are most comprehensive
animal studies with regard to cancer and exposure to mobile phone and base
station signals that have been conducted to date. The scientific quality and
standard of laboratory techniques are high, especially in the NTP study…”

“The results of these two
animal studies are of great scientific relevance and importance for health
policy because according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC), positive results from animal studies with lifetime exposure are very
important with regard to the classification of cancer risk of an agent,
together with data from epidemiological and mechanistic studies. Based on the
observed evidence regarding a correlation between mobile phone use and gliomas
as well as acoustic neuroma, the latter data led to the IARC classification of
mobile phone radiation as ‘possibly carcinogenic’ (group 2B) in 2011…”

“Despite the methodological
differences, both new animal studies showed relatively consistent results in
schwannomas and gliomas, as well as a dose-dependent trend to an increase in
the carcinogenicity of these tumors. The NTP study used high whole-body doses
(SAR – specific absorption rates) as compared to the regulatory limits for
whole-body exposure recommended by ICNIRP. For the general public, this limit
is 0.08 W/kg, with Switzerland additionally having introduced lower
precautionary limits. The question arises of how transferable the NTP study
results are to real-life exposure of the public, considering that mobile phone
use exposes only parts of the body to EMF levels comparable to the ones applied
to the whole animal by the NTP study. First, it is common practice in
toxicology to study higher doses to evaluate possible hazards of an agent.
Second, the NTP study found an increase in carcinogenicity for GSM and CDMA
exposure conditions. Since the findings are similar for both types of exposure,
they indicate that the modulation of the signals does not seem to be relevant.
Third, mobile phone use can cause local SAR values up to 2 W/kg, averaged over
a cube of 21 mm side length in the closest proximity of the phone (e.g. at the
ear, cheeks, hand, pocket locations, etc.). Thus, the results of the NTP study
are mostly relevant for the exposure situation when using a mobile phone close
to the body. In contrast, the Ramazzini study observed carcinogenicity at
levels as high as the environmental exposure limits, with no statistically
significant effect at lower doses. However, a dose-dependent trend was found
for malignant heart schwannomas, which is consistent with the findings of the
NTP study. This may indicate that the non-significant increase in case numbers
at lower exposure levels represents a true effect that has not reached
statistical significance due to the given sample size.

In summary, BERENIS supports a
precautionary approach for regulating RF EMF based on the findings and their
evaluation. A full risk assessment analysis taking into account all available
studies (animal studies and epidemiological studies) is necessary to assess
whether the current standards should be changed."

Hardell L, Carlberg M. Comments on the US National Toxicology Program technical reports on toxicology and carcinogenesis study in rats exposed to whole-body radiofrequency radiation at 900 MHz and in mice exposed to whole-body radiofrequency radiation at 1,900 MHz. International Journal of Oncology. Published Oct 24, 2018. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2018.4606

Abstract

During the use of handheld mobile and cordless phones, the brain is the main target of radiofrequency (RF) radiation. An increased risk of developing glioma and acoustic neuroma has been found in human epidemiological studies. Primarily based on these findings, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at the World Health Organization (WHO) classified in May, 2011 RF radiation at the frequency range of 30 kHz‑300 GHz as a ‘possible’ human carcinogen, Group 2B. A carcinogenic potential for RF radiation in animal studies was already published in 1982. This has been confirmed over the years, more recently in the Ramazzini Institute rat study. An increased incidence of glioma in the brain and malignant schwannoma in the heart was found in the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) study on rats and mice. The NTP final report is to be published; however, the extended reports are published on the internet for evaluation and are reviewed herein in more detail in relation to human epidemiological studies. Thus, the main aim of this study was to compare earlier human epidemiological studies with NTP findings, including a short review of animal studies. We conclude that there is clear evidence that RF radiation is a human carcinogen, causing glioma and vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). There is some evidence of an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, and clear evidence that RF radiation is a multi‑site carcinogen. Based on the Preamble to the IARC Monographs, RF radiation should be classified as carcinogenic to humans, Group 1.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted two-year studies of cell phone radiation in rats and mice exposed to CDMA- or GSM-modulated radiofrequency radiation (RFR) at exposure intensities in the brain of rats that were similar to or only slightly higher than potential, localized human exposures from cell phones held next to the head. This study was designed to test the (null) hypothesis that cell phone radiation at non-thermal exposure intensities could not cause adverse health effects, and to provide dose-response data for any detected toxic or carcinogenic effects.

Partial findings released from that study showed significantly increased incidences and/or trends for gliomas and glial cell hyperplasias in the brain and schwannomas and Schwann cell hyperplasias in the heart of exposed male rats. These results, as well as the findings of significantly increased DNA damage (strand breaks) in the brains of exposed rats and mice, reduced pup birth weights when pregnant dams were exposed to GSM- or CDMA-modulated RFR, and the induction of cardiomyopathy of the right ventricle in male and female rats clearly demonstrate that the null hypothesis has been disproved.

The NTP findings are most important because the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified RFR as a "possible human carcinogen" based largely on increased risks of gliomas and acoustic neuromas (which are Schwann cell tumors on the acoustic nerve) among long term users of cell phones. The concordance between rats and humans in cell type affected by RFR strengthens the animal-to-human association.

This commentary addresses several unfounded criticisms about the design and results of the NTP study that have been promoted to minimize the utility of the experimental data on RFR for assessing human health risks. In contrast to those criticisms, an expert peer-review panel recently concluded that the NTP studies were well designed, and that the results demonstrated that both GSM- and CDMA-modulated RFR were carcinogenic to the heart (schwannomas) and brain (gliomas) of male rats.

Note: Dr. Melnick was a senior toxicologist and Director of Special Programs in the Environmental Toxicology Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. He led the design of the cell phone radiation studies discussed in this commentary.Sep 6, 2018

Official Summary of Peer Review Meeting about the NTP's Cell Phone

Radiofrequency Radiation Studies

The official summary of the three-day peer review meeting to discuss the draft technical reports about the cell phone radiation studies conducted by the National Toxicology Program is now available.

March 28, 2018 (Last updated April 10)Eleven
experts convened by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) over a three
day period to review the draft technical reports from the NTP's cell
phone radiation studies concluded that there is "clear evidence" that
exposure to cell phone radiation caused a rare cancer in the hearts of
male rats, and "there is equivocal evidence" in the hearts of female rats.

The
expert panel also reported "some evidence" that cell phone radiation
exposure caused brain cancer in male and female rats and cancer of the
adrenal glands in male rats. Additionally, "equivocal evidence" of
cancer risk was reported in the pituitary, adrenal, and prostate glands
and pancreas and liver in male rats and adrenal glands in female rats.

The
mice in the study, exposed to a different cell phone radiation
frequency than the rats
(1800 MHz vs. 900 MHz), displayed less evidence of cancer risk.
Equivocal evidence of cancer risk from cell phone radiation was reported
for lymphoma in male and female mice. Equivocal evidence was also
reported for skin, lung, and liver cancer in male mice.

In seven instances, the expert group upgraded the evaluations of evidence
published by NTP staff in the draft technical reports. Thus, the NTP
scientists appear to have been overly conservative in their assessment
of the hazards of long-term exposure to cell phone radiation. According to a former NTP scientist, "There was never a time when so many upgrades were recommended."

The following table based upon NTP's official summary of actions compares the evaluations of evidence of carcinogenicity prepared by NTP staff with the expert committee's findings. The two-page document which also contains the committee's findings for nonneoplastic lesions can be be downloaded fromhttp://bit.ly/NTP180330.

Clear Evidence of Carcinogenic Activity is
demonstrated by studies that are interpreted as showing a dose-related (i)
increase of malignant neoplasms, (ii) increase of a combination of malignant
and benign neoplasms, or (iii) marked increase of benign neoplasms if there is
an indication from this or other studies of the ability of such tumors to
progress to malignancy.

Some Evidence of Carcinogenic Activity is
demonstrated by studies that are interpreted as showing a chemical-related
increased incidence of neoplasms (malignant, benign, or combined) in which the
strength of the response is less than that required for clear evidence.

Equivocal Evidence of Carcinogenic Activity is
demonstrated by studies that are interpreted as showing a marginal increase of
neoplasms that may be chemically related.

No Evidence of Carcinogenic Activity is
demonstrated by studies that are interpreted as showing no chemical-related
increases in malignant or benign neoplasms.

To view webcast of NTP review meeting on March 26-28 from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM EDT: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/webcasts/cellphones_032618/The National Toxicology Program (NTP) requested public comments about the two draft NTP Technical Reports on Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation. Due to a lag between when comments were submitted and posted to the NTP website, below are links to selected comments from scientists and environmental health organizations about the reports.Public Comments: Scientists

On January
29, 2018, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) announced a meeting to peer
review two draft NTP Technical Reports on Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation.
These reports present the results of NTP studies conducted to evaluate the
impact of cell phone radiofrequency radiation exposure in mice and rats.

The
peer-review meeting will be held at the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, NC and is open to the
public. Registration is requested for attendance at the meeting either
in-person or by webcast and to present oral comments. Information about the
meeting and registration will be available at https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/​go/​36051.

Meeting

Tentatively scheduled for March 26,
2018, 8:30 a.m. to adjournment on March 28, 2018, at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time. The preliminary agenda will be available at https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/​go/​36051
and will be updated one week before the meeting.

Personal (cellular)
telecommunications is a rapidly evolving technology that uses radiofrequency
energy or radiation for mobile communication. According to a 2016 survey, 95
percent of American adults now use cell phones. Given such broad use, adverse
health effects shown to be associated with cell phone use could be a widespread
public health concern.

The U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) nominated cell phone radiofrequency radiation for
NTP study because (a) widespread human exposure is possible, (b) current
exposure guidelines are based largely on protection from acute injury due to
thermal effects, (c) little is known about the potential health effects of
long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiation, and (d) currently available
human studies have found limited evidence of an increased risk of cancer from
cell phone use.

NTP studied
in rats and mice the effects of exposure to cell phone radiofrequency radiation
from two system modulations: Global System for Mobile Communications and Code
Division Multiple Access. NTP released the “Report of Partial Findings from the
National Toxicology Program Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency
Radiation in Hsd: Sprague Dawley SD Rats (Whole Body Exposure)” in May 2016 (https://doi.org/​10.1101/​055699).
The partial findings will be included in the draft NTP technical report for
rats. The two draft NTP technical reports present results for all NTP studies
on rats and mice on the toxicity and carcinogenicity of cell phone-emitted
radiofrequency radiation.

The
deadline for submission of written comments is March 12, 2018. Written public comments should be
submitted through the meeting website. Persons submitting written comments
should include name, affiliation, mailing address, phone, email, and sponsoring
organization (if any). Written comments received in response to this notice
will be posted on the NTP website, and the submitter will be identified by
name, affiliation, and sponsoring organization (if any). Comments that address
scientific or technical issues will be forwarded to the peer-review panel and
NTP staff prior to the meeting.

Registration to provide oral comments
is on or before March 12, 2018,
at https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/​go/​36051.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and registrants will be
assigned a number in their confirmation email. Oral comments may be presented in
person at NIEHS or by teleconference line. The access number for the
teleconference line will be provided to registrants by email prior to the
meeting. Each organization is allowed one time slot per comment period. The
agenda allows for two public comment periods: The first comment period on the
exposure system (12 commenters, up to 5 minutes per speaker), and the second
comment period on the NTP findings in rats and mice (24 commenters, up to 5
minutes per speaker). After the maximum number of speakers per comment period
is exceeded, individuals registered to provide oral comment will be placed on a
wait list and notified should an opening become available. Commenters will be
notified after March 12, 2018, the deadline to register for oral public comments,
about the actual time allotted per speaker.

If
possible, oral public commenters should send a copy of their slides and/or
statement or talking points to Canden Byrd by email: NTP-Meetings@icf.com by March 12, 2018.

Background
Information on NTP Peer-Review PanelsNTP panels are technical, scientific advisory bodies to provide independent scientific peer
review. These panels help ensure transparent, unbiased, and scientifically
rigorous input to the program. Scientists interested in serving on an NTP
panel should provide their current curriculum vitae to Canden Byrd by email: NTP-Meetings@icf.com.

Friday, November 16, 2018

SinceJune, 2014, television stations in the U.S have aired more than 200 news stories about health risks from wireless radiation exposure. Almost half of the stories focus on radiation risks from use of a cell phone, including risks to children. About 30% of stories discussed cell tower radiation risks. More than a dozen stories focus on cell towers or Wi-Fi in schools.Other technologies of concern include wireless smart meters and Wi-Fi-emitting devices.